Tobacco-stemming machine



J. P. SCOVILL.

TOBACCO STEMMINC MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.25, 1918.

Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

cgvwewfoz SCOVILL. TOBACCO STEMMING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APII.25, I9I8.

Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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l. P. SCOVILL.

TOBACCO STEMMIN CHINE.

APPLICATION FILED A ,1918.

1,388,487. Patented Aug. 23, A

1. P. scovlLL.y

TOBACCO STEMMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.25, 191s.

1,388,487. Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

E SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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Tos/aoco srEMMlNG MAcHrNE.

APPLICATION FILED APR 25 1918 l1,388487 Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

I. P. SCOVILL.

TOBACCO STEMMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.25, |9I8. 1,388,487. Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

I" l l @35% UNITED STATES JAMES P. SCOVILL, OF TROY; NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN TOLHURST MAGHLNE WORKS, A CORIOR-ATON OF NEW YORK.

PATENT OFFICE.

MENTS, To

p TOBACCO-SVTEMMING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Auf". 23, 1921.

Application filed April `25, 1918. Serial No. 230,797.

To @ZZ LU/tom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JAMES P. SooviLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Troy, in the county of Rensselaer and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tobacco-Stemming Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to tobacco stemming machines and in certain respects the present invention is an improvement upon my prior Patents No. 1,067,147 and No. 1,067,148, although in these and other respects my present invention is applicable to other tobacco stemming machines or for independentiise Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter, and in part will be obvious herefi'om, or may be learned through practice with the invention; the same being realized and attained through the instrumentalities and combina tions pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

'l`he accompanyingplclrawings, herein re? ferred to and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles thereof.

Of the drawings Figure 1 and Fig. 1 taken together are a top plan of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section on line rif-B of Fig. 1, showing the primary conveyers g l Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section on line C-D of Fig. 1 showing the first stemming mechanism;

Fig. 4; is a fragmentary vertical section on line E-F of Fig. 1 showing the two sets of conveyers and the intermediate transferring and forwarding device;

Fig. 5 is a similar view on line G-H of Fig. 1; y

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line I--K of Fig. l, showing the leaf turning and smoothing devices;

Figf7 is a like view on line L M of Fig. la, showing the final stemming devices;

Fig. 8 shows the same mechanism but during the stem cutting operation;

Fig. 9 is a vertical fragmentary view of the stein delivery substantially on line N-O of Fig. 11;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view looking at Fig. 3 from the side to show the preferred relation of the stemming fingers; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary edge detail of one of the stemming cutters.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary, sectional elevation, substantially on line 1?-Q of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary, detail section on line R-S of Fig. 1, showing a section through the pressure regulating devices for the belt and chain conveyers; 'and Fig. 14 is a fragmentary, sectional. elevation, substantially on line -T--U of Fig. 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example one embodiment of the invention, means are provided whereby the leaf tobacco is alined or registered relatively to the initial feeding devices so as to be fed thereto in a definite predetermined relation or position.`

As embodied there is provided for this purpose a board or alining strip 1 which is adjustably positioned along the edge of the traveling conveyer belt upon which the leaf tobacco is laid for feeding into the machine, and is thereby alined` by the operative attending the machine, so that the leaf will enter the conveyers and be carried through the machine in proper and eiicient position or location. The alining board l is movable or adjustable, by means of bolt and slot connections 12, toward and away from the conveyer to transversely position the leaf with respect thereto. The operative in placing the leaf tobacco upon the con veyer belt, places the stems with their ends in abutment against the board 1, and roughly or freely distributes the handful of leaf along the belt, whereby it enters the machine in practically uniform transverse alinement and is also distrilnited along the conveyer belt so as to maintain a practically constant` and uniform supply of the leaf to the machine.

The embodied form of conveying means comprises a relatively broad and preferably horizontally arranged belt 2, running over simporting and driving rollers 3 and Al, journaled in the machine frame. In the present instance the roller 4 is driven, and the roller 3 is adj ustably journaled to regulate the ten f' it 'has been deposited 'and yalined upon the 40 f f15and preferably for effecting this by an sion of the belt 2. For this purpose, the shaft 5 of the roller 3 has threaded connection with screws ,7 mounted at 9 in the machine frame, and provided with nuts 7a, whereby the roller 3 may be'moved longitudinally to regulate the tension of the belt2,

the vroller running free on the so slidableV shaft 5.

There is provided in the present embodiment in cooperative relation with the belt '2 an auxiliary belt'lO, l'running alongside belt 2, and upon -which rest the'stem ends vof the leaf tobacco as it is deposited by the operativeand alined against the gage 1, and is' then carried forward by the belts 2 and V10. The belt 10 runs over the roller 3, and

Vin the machine frame.

overy aY short roller 11, ywhich is journaled in the forepart of the machine.y

Coperating in the 4present embodiment with the belt 2 to grip the leaf 'tobacco after forward art of the belt 2 isV an endless belt 15. Y elt is located above and extends along one side of the belt 2, the lower reach of belt 15' running on and in the same i direction as the upper reach of belt 2. The

belt 15 runs over supporting and-driving rollers 16- and 17, journaled respectively As embodied, the roller 17 is driven, andthe roller 16 is pro- Y vided with tension adjustments to control the tension of the belt 15, which adjustments may include the screw-threaded rods 20 and 19V and be generally similar to the like Vadjustments already described for the belt 2, and need not be described in further detail.

Means are provided for firmly gripping and holding 1n sition the leaf as it is conveyed forwa-r between the belts 2 and angular or other gripping flexure of the leaf between the conveyer members 2 and 15.' This grip is lmaintained upon the leaf tobacco as and while it is subjected to a partial stemming operation, and .preferably or other suitablematerial is Vfixed to andv disposed longitudinally upon the belt 15, and inwardly of the welt orstrip 2O on belt 2Q The gripping devices, such as the strips or Welts 20 and 21 are spaced with respect to each other so that the tobacco leaf is firmly gripped crosswise of the leaf and is held lagainst movement relatively to the conthereby weakened or broken thereby renderling the stemming action as efiicient as possible while avoidmg waste and dropping by the machine, and with these ends in view one of the belts is shiftable or movable sidewise to so regulate or adjust the grip on the leaf.

The conveyer 2 may be provided with grippin means at either side thereof, thereby ren ering the belt interchangeable side for-side in the machine. These devices which present the tobacco leaf to the first stemming means and convey it therethrough and on beyond, may conveniently be called the vfirst conveyer or conveying means.

vThe initial stemming means, which in the preferred embodiment of the invention stem the uppery orton of the leaf, and referably considerab y the smaller portion tiereof, toward the butt, comprises cooperating rotary stemming devices, i arranged obliquely or diagonally to the direction or path of travel of the conveyers 2 and '15 andof the leaf tobacco carried thereby. i s embodied, two shafts 23 and 24 are journaled in the ma` chine, in oblique or diagonal position as already described. Upon these shafts, respectively, are mounted the cooperating stemming devices 26 and 35, which may be conveniently styled stemming rolls, although they are not necessarily or preferably of cylindrical form.

"One of the embodied stemming devices (see Figs. l and 3) comprises a body 26 mounted upon shaft 23, and adjusted and held in position longitudinally and angularly thereon by sultable means, such as clamping screws 27. The body 26 is provided Awith suitable stemming devices for separating the leaf from the stem, such devices being preferably formed of series or rows of leaf engaging and removing devices arranged along, and separated apart around, the body 26 of the roll. The leaf engaging an removing or stemming devices, as

referabl embodied, comprise pins or ngers o wire, spaced and located as just described, the wires being inclined backwardly with lrespect to the direction of rotation of the roll, as appears in Fig. 3.

In accordance with one feature ofthe invention, these lines or series of wires spaced apart circumferentially about the roll, vary in character and in their aotionon the leaf being stemmed, as the lines or series of fingers engage in succession with the leaf. One series 28 consists of relatively stiff or heavy wires or fingers, and a succeeding line or series29 consists of relatively lighter or resilient wires or fingers, the former preferably beingl more widely spaced apart and the latter being spaced more closely together.` There are two rows of the lingers 28 and two rows of the lingers 29 shown, the respective rows being spaced a semi-circumference apart.

`The stemming devices on roll 35 which coperate with those located on roll 26 and just described, are preferably similar in construction, and need not be described in detail. The cooperating stid lingers 28 on the rolls 2G and 35 (see Fig. may intermesh slightly or may j ust come into end contact or alinement, and the series 29 may be similarly arranged. The fingers of each series are spaced apart along the rolls 26 and 35, and also the copeating series on the two rolls are staggered just sufficiently to permita stem to pass therebetween without being jammed or broken. The cooperating lingers form stemways of various sizes at their points of cooperation and farther down on the lingers, that is, toward their bases, thereby providing stemways for stems of different sizes. The stemming or removal of the leaf is thus clean and close without damage to or breakage of the stem. The more resilient wires or lingers are adapted to yield as they engage the" leaf and to exert a milder action on the leaf in the stemming operation.

ln Fig. 3 the arrow 34 represents the direction of travel of the leaf and the direction of rotation of the rolls is shown by the respective arrows thereon. The backward inclination of the stemming lingers gives a very favorable and advantageous action thereof upon the leaf, as the lingers engage the leaf by an oblique movement and recede thereirom by a relatively longitudinal movement. Duringthe stemming action, the leaf tobacco approaches the stemming devices projecting transversely outwardly from between the edges of the conveyer 2 and 15, and traveling substantially right angles to their-own length, and firmly held in the manner described. The stemming devices are rotating at relatively high speed as compared to the speed of the conveyer belts, and therefore the different stemming devices come into operative engagement with each successive traveling leaf a number of times while it is passing in the firm grip of the conveyer mechanism. On first engaging a leaf, the fingers 28 and 29 turn or bend the stems obliquely backwardly, as they travel along, until the stems are substantially in e ment or at right angles to the axes of the stemming rolls.

Means are provided for regulating the pressure between the conveying belts 2 and l5, andy in the embodied form thereof, a plate e0 is arranged above the inner or operative reach of the conveyer belt 15. Supported by the plate l0 are a plurality of spring lingers il engaging a flexible plate Lf6, ei;- tending longitudinally of the belt and which bears upon the belt `l5 at various points thereon, with pressure determined or regulated by the fingers lll. Each of the lingers lil is provided with a separate tensioning device, the preferred form thereof including a rod or linger l2 for each of the presser fingers ll, the respective rods 112 being screw threaded into the plate 40 with their ends pressing against the respective presser lingers el, whereby through plate llG regulating the pressure between the couvcyers 2 and l5 at various points therealong, to control the grip on the tobacco leaf as it passes through the stemming devices.

There is a supporting plate Lli' beneath the upper reach of the conveyor belt 2 which supports that belt at a fixed level and thus cooperates in the regulation of the gripping action of the conveyer upon the leaf tobacco.

'A similar support is preferably provided for the opposite side of the conveyor 2. As each finger lil is pressed downwardly by its pressure regulating screw 4:2 the pressiue between the belts 2 and l5 and thus the gripping force exerted on the tobacco leaf, is correspondingly increased. lVhen the screws 42 are turned backwardly the opposite effect is produced. There is thus provided a nice regulation for each point along the path of travel of the leaf between the conveyors, including its passage through the stemming means. The gripping tension upon the 'tobacco leaf thus be nicely regulated at every point andstage of the stemming operation. A supporting and alining pulley 43 is underneath the upper or returning reach of the belt 15, the pulley being mounted upon a shaft 44 carried by the machine frame.

Means are provided for completing the stemming of the leaf, and cooperating therewith, conveying means especially constructed and adapted to handle the partly stemmed leaf and present it in the most advantageous and efficient manner to the second stemming means, which complete the stemming of the leaf. In accordance with certain features of the invention, conveying mean` are provided for receiving and gripping the stemmed portion of the leaf somewhat spaced apart from cach other, and quite regularly spaced apart when there is intellig-ent and faith'lful feeding or supplying of the leaf to the machine, and conveying the leaf so held past, through and beyond the second stemming means, which complete the stemming operation. This may conveniently be styled the second conveyor. ln connection therewith, intermediately located means are provided for receiving the stems or stemmed portion of the leaf from the first conveyer and leading them into this second conveying mechanism, so that the lsuccessi-ve stems may be firmly gripped and be spaced apart for advantageous presentation to and passage through the second stemming means.

This Ysecond Vconveying means v1s always f in engaging relation with respect to the oncoming leaf, and has no special mechanism or actuating mechanism for engaging thc "stems, but receives them just as they are presented.l V'This conveying means is driven or -run at a somewhat higher speed as comparedto the firstconveyer, as 1s also the 1nvtermediate stem receivingand leading means, rju'st referred to, thereby vrst straightening the clean portions of the stems vfrom their backwar'dly inclined position, in which kthey passed through the first -stripping means, and they are gradually and gently turned and straightened with the unstemmed portion of the leaf, preparatory to entering into theysecond stemming means, which completes the stemming operation. The entire operation'is both gentle and gradual so as not to break any of the stems, but is effective. to keep the tobacco uninjured and to present it. advantageously and efficiently to the second stemming means.

,As.embodied, this Succeeding or second conveyer, having in view the functions, ca-

pacities and operationA just pointed out, comprises coperating devices traveling and converging Vto present a vcontinuously open entrance for the oncoming stems, to receive and firmly grip the successive stems as presented in the operation of the machine, and to Vcarry the leaf forward to the second stemming means. v

Said means asl embodied comprises 'sprocket chains adapted to grip the successive stems adjacent the remaining or unstripped portion of the leaf. As embodied, Figs. 1, 4 and 5, an upper sprocket chain is arranged horizontally and somewhat to one side of, and with its forward end passing or slightly overlapping (considered Vmounted respectively onshafts 58 and 59,

one of which shafts is driven. The two chains thus have parallel, contacting horizontally disposed reaches, which together with devices about to be described consti- 'tute the means engaging lthe leaf as it is furtherV forwarded through the machine.

Fixed to either one or both ofthe sprocket chains 50 and 55 are suitable stem meme? spacing and gripping devices, the embodied form thereof comprising recesses or pockets (SOfaixed to or formed in the links of one or both of the sprocket chains. The previously stemmed ends are received into the recesses or pockets 60 and are thereby spaced and are 4gripped between the conveyors during the succeeding stemming action, and they continue to grip the stems after thc stemmingaction is completed', and convey them onward to the place of discharge.

Means are provided, as already referred to, for receiving the clean v'portion of the stems and for leading or inducting them into the conveyer mechanism just described preparatoig7 to cleaning the remainder of the leaf. As embodied (Figs. 1, 4 and 5) said means comprise a toothed wheel (55, fixed on the shaft 58 to rotate therewith, this wheel being located in between, and coperating both with the primary conveyers 2 and 15 and the second conveyers 5() and 55, at the point where they overla i each other. The toothed wheel is preferably of slightly greater diameter than the Sprocket wheels 51 and 56, and thereby will engage with the stri ped stems which roject from between the conveyers 2 an 15 just after their emergence or release from thenfrst stemming mechanism, the successive stems entering and lying between 'the teeth of the wheel, the parts being so constructed and arranged that the stems will be led into the pockets 60 on the conveyers 50 and 55.

By reason of the wheel 65 having a greater peripheral speed `than the lineal speed of the first conveyors, the stems after engagement with the wheel are spaced apart and are turned or straightened from their backward inclination until they are substantially straight or nearly so at the moment they are fed into the grip of the second conveyer. Coperating with the wheel 65, if desired, there may be means for preventing upward flying or bending of the stems, and for directing them into the bight of the continually conver ing and endlessly7 moving conveyers 50 an 55. As embodied, such means comprise a disk or collar 66 mounted on the shaft of sprocket wheel 51, between it and the toothed wheel 65, the stems passing beneath the rotating disk 66, which prevents the stems from flying upwardly and coperates with the wheel 65 to lead them in the desired position and condition into the bight of the second conveyer.

As the leaf passes into the grip or bight of the second conveyer as just described, or very shortly subsequent thereto, the unstemmed portion of the leaf emerges from between the primary conveyers 2 and 15. By reason of the difference 1n speed of the two conveyers, the successive leaves will be spaced apart and the stemmed` and unstemmed portions of the leaf will be straightened out. Means are provided at this point, that is, just after the unsteinmed portion of the leaf has emerged from the first conveyci's 2 and 15 for aiding in straightening out the stemmed and unstemmed portions of the leaf for smoothing it out and bringing it at right angles to the second stem* ming means preparatory to its entering said means. The mechanism just described or devices coj'ierating therewith, also separates out any of the leaf tobacco having broken stems, or which is otherwise untted to pass successfully through the final stemming mechanism.

The embodied form of said means com* prises (Figs. 1 and 6) a shaft 67 journaled diagonally in the machine frame, and carrying a roll or carrier 68 fixed thereon to rotate therewith. Mounted on a carrier 68 are longitudinally disposed resilient or yielding leaf engaging members, such as rows of bristles 70 and 71, which project outwardly, and preferably tangentially rather than radially. A coperating shaft 72 is journaled in the machine frame just beneath and parallel with the shaft 67, and has fined thereupon, to rotate therewith, a carrier 73, from which carrier projects outwardly one or more resilient members 74 preferably having a smooth surface, and which may be of tangential or involute or other curved conformation. The member or members 74 are resilient or yielding, so as to bring the lleaf against the bristles 7() or 7l. without driving them thereinto, as a smoothing and straightening but not a stemming action is `desired at this time.

Just before the entry of the leaf into the mechanism just described and after it has emerged from the primary conveyers 2 and la, and by reason of its being supported only by the stemsand through the action of the mechanism just described all broken stemmed leaf is herediscarded or dropped. The dropped leaf may be received into a hopper to be passed thereby to the floor beneath, or it may be otherwise disposed of.

The mechanisms are preferably so disposed and arranged that justas the leaf emerges from the first conveyor it passes to the leaf straightening and droppings removing mechanism, and as it emelvrges therefrom, it passes to the second stemming mechaun, which completes the stemming operation.

The means for stemming the remainder of the leaf, comprises two eoperatingmembers rotating against the advancing leaf and at different peripheral speeds` so that they have relative motion with respect to each other at the place or point of the stemming action and the more rapidly rotatingmember has a more aggressive stemming action upon the leaf by reason of its greater peripheral speed, and is preferably more resilient in its action. The other of said coperating stemming members is more resistive to the passing leaf than the resilient member just described and thereby offers greater resistance to the advancing leaf, the two members having thus unequal action upon each other and upon the advancing leaf. Other features conducing and cooperating to effect clean and economical. stemming which is very rapid and commercially satisfactory will be pointed out hereinafter.

In the preferred embodiment said means, (Figs. l and 7) comprise a pair of shafts 85 and 86 arranged parallel with each other and one above the other, and positioned obliquely or diagonally with respect to the conveyers 50 and 55, `and suitably journaled in the machine` frame. Onthe shaft 85, fixed to rotate therewith, but adjustable thereabout and therealong, is a carrier 77, provided with longitudinally disposed circumferentially spaced apart groups or lines of resilient stemming devices, as bristles 88 and 89. `Cooperating therewith is a carrier 90, which is mounted on shaft 86 to rotate therewith but is adjustable thereabout and therealong, and upon the carrier 90 are arranged` stemming devices which cooperate with the stemming devices upon the carrier 87.

In the embodied form thereof, the stemH ming devices on the carrier 90 are arranged in two diametrally separated or disposed groups, each group comprising preferably plurality of longitudinally-disposed plates or cutters, having cutting or stemming edges and having stem Igrooves and intervening higher parts, the plates or cutters being set or positioned longitudinally side by side. As embodied, two series of three such plates each are provided, and are located diametrally opposite each other; a plate 9]V being iclined outwardly with respect to the circle or path of rotation of the device, and suc ceeding and successively adjacent corrugated plates 92 and 93 being likewise inclined with respect to the radii or the peripheral path of travel of the stemming lcvice. The plates or stemming cutters are preferably relatively resistive Iand unyielding These stemming plates are provided with stern grooves, formed preferably by bending or rurving the stemming plates in short bends or curves and preferably substantially sinusoidally, a stem dropping or passing therein to or from one stem groove to another at each passage of the respective plates past the stemmingl point or position. The resilient bristles or like members on the other roll press the leaf downwardly on time', while the brlstles are resilient they each. Side ofthe stem as it is drawn along the groove, andthe front edge of each stemfming plate acts as a stemming cutter to removefthe leafv cleanly and. closely from the Vstem without tearin the leaf. At the same Vare(traveling ata greater peripheral speed and are thus more aggressive in their stemming action,'the action of the two stemming members being different` in kind and unequal. both with respect tov each other and to the leaf. There is thus effected a sweepingaction of the bristles 88 and89 over the flat sides ofthe plates 91, 92 and.93, due to the difference in; peripheral' speed. At the same time, the edges of the plates 91, 92, and 93meet the oncoming leaf at each side of the stemv kas already described. Also, wheni the bristles 88 and 89 pass over the edges of the respective blades,` the bristles are flexed; somewhat and then. re-

Y leased., This action Vwillbe best understood from Figs. 7 and; 8. This action ofthe resilient bristleskeeps the leaf cutting or stemming edgesi of: the platesY clean, pre- :ventsthe leaf from wrapping thereabout,

and securesA a uniformly efficient stemming action. It also prevents hooking'and throw- Vi11ga.boutof the-.leaf by the stemming. plates and Ysecuresuniform delivery of the leaf at the `desired place. By thiscoaction ofv the A members also, the stemming plates continu- 'ally clean the leaf out. of the bristles so that there is no clogging4 thereof withl the leafor fiber.

By reason o f thespeed: of rotation. of the parts` just mentioned. being relatively great withrrespect. to the speed of the conveyers 50and. 55, each leaf'isengaged a plurality the bristles higher speed.

of. times b each loup of stripping devices, as vwe l asv by t e various edges of each groupras justidescribed, and the operation comprises a. very rapid succession of stem-y Stemmingdevices and. downwardly from the place of stemming toward-the receiving hopper..v r g It is desirable `to stop the'stemming operationl at, some' distance away. from the point. of the leaf, and tov preserve the forT Ward or point end. ofthe stem with the leaf, @da doingahisrtoy cutoffjthestem close to the leaf, so as not to leave a pro jecting part or stub of the stem, and means for effecting this are provided. In the embodied form `of such means, a cutter 76 is provided on the stemming roll 77 on shaft 85, which cutter engages or contacts with a cooperating member 78 on the roll 90 on shaft 86. In said embodiment, the cutting point or place is outside and forward of the point of contact of the stemming members. The cutter 76 travels at a higher speed than its coacting member 78, and overtakes it during their rotation (as will be seen from Figs. 8 and 7.) to effect the cutting, the cutting point being determined or affected by tlierelative peripheral speed of the cutting members. By so cutting in .advance of the stemming place or point, the

stem is cut off right up to the unstemmed .portion of the leaf, the stemmed leaf ends thus being delivered in the most ecce table commercialform. The cutter 76 and its oooperating member 78 are movable or adjustable longitudinally of their respective rolls by bolt and slot mountings 79, wherebythe distance from the conveyers at which the stems are cut off is nicely regulated or determined. The successive leaves are drawn along, spaced apart in the grip 0f the conveyors, and by reason of the forward travel of the conveyer, the leaves have been engaging the stemming mechanism farther and farther along the rotating demming devices, as well as farther and farther down the leaf (as will be seen from Fig. 1*). As the stemming proceeds down lthe leaf, and 'the leaf is moving farther and farther outwardly along the stemming devices, it comes into alinement with the cutting devices 76 and 78, at a definite predetermineddistance along the leaf, andthe stem is severed by the cutting devices, and the forward end-of the leaf drops, with the forward end of the stem attached, into a suitable Vreceptacle such as a hopper 102, and usually passes therethrough'to the floor or story beneath.

Means-are provided by the invention for deflecting the stemmed leaves and parte of leaves downwardly out of the path of the oncoming leaves which are approaching the stemming rolls in the grip of the conveyor. The stemmed leaf is deflected downwardly and at a tangentor in a direction determined by the radius and relative speedof the smaller stemmingr roll. As embodied, a loose kresilientjbuifer or striker 80 isattached t0 roll 77 and extends down forwardly of the groupsof bristles 88 or 89 andiengages the leaf in front of the stemming devices and counteracts any tendency of the leaf to wrap about the bristle roll. y reason-of the bristles moving at higher speed'than the copr`erating roll; the bristles-have somewhat 0f a forwardly sweeping action. The bristles being on a larger diameter also conduces to this result. l'y the coaction of the foregoing the stemmed leaf is directed or deflected downwardly in the manner described.

Suitable tension or conveyor grip regulating devices are provided, operating upon the conveyor while the leaf is being subjected to the final stripping operation, and at any other desired point along the conveyer. 'ln the embodied form thereof, such tension mechanism may be the same or similar to that previously described in connection with the primary conveyors, which is indicated by reference numerals 40 to 47 in Figs. l, 2, 12 and 13, and need not be again described in detail. It is indicated generally by reference numeral 103, in Figs. 1 and 14, and provides independent and variable tension regulation at all the various points in the path of travel of the sprocket chains of the second conveyer similarly to the action of the first tension device on the conveyer belts as desired.

Means are provided also for regulating the tension upon the upper reach of conveyer 50., and as shown herein comprise a pulley roll 104, mounted on a stub shaft 105 carried in a bracket 106, fixed to the machine frame by pivot bolt 107, whereby the pulley 104 ay be raised and lowered to vary the tension upon the conveyer.

Means are provided for insuring the discharge of the stripped and cut-off stems from the conveyers and 55 and as embodied. a stripping device 108 is supported at 109 on the machine frame, and extends either side of the sprocket chain 55, andlnsures the displacement and discharge of the stems.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement herein shown and described, nor to any particular details, but changes maybe made therein without departing from the principles of the invention, and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is 1. A tobacco stemming` machine including in combination a pair of leaf conveyors travcling side by side, one conveyor being longer than the other, a belt superposed upon the long conveyer, the long conveyer and superposed belt having coacting stem flexing and gripping de ricos, and means for stemming the projecting buttpart of the leaf after `it has passed the short conveyer and while it is held by the {iexing grip between the other conveyor and the belt.

2. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination a pair of leaf conveyers traveling side by side, one conveyor being longer than the other, a belt superposed upon the long cenveyer, the long conveyer and superposed belt having enacting stem flexing and gripping devices, and stein butt cleaning rolls arranged diagonally with respect to the conveyors, and acting to stem the butt end of the leaf and to bend the stems baeliznuirdly perpendicular-ly to the axis of the rolls whereby the pull of the rollers is at angle to the main line of the stem.

3. Atobacco stemming machine including in combination a pair of conveyors traveling side by side, one conv-ayer being longer than the other, an alininiv;l gage for thi stems at the outer side of the short conveyor, a belt superposed upon the long conveyor on the side adjacent the short conveyer, and means beyond the short conveyer and alongside the other conveyor and belt for stemming the butt of the leaf while held by the said coni veyer and belt, said butt stemming means acting upon the stem at an angle to the line of the remainder of the stem.

45. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination a primary leaf conveyor and means diagonally disposed relatively thereto and cooperating therewith for stemming the butt end portion of the leaf, a second conveyer extending in the same direction and traveling at greater speed than the ijirin'iaqA conveyor and engaging the cleaned 1'iorliion of the stems, and means for stemmi' the mainder of the leaf while conveyor by said second conveyers.

5. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination a primary conveyor, butt stemming means cooperating therewith to stem the leaf butts, a second conveyor having pockets and presenting a continuously open entrancefor the cleaned leaf stems, means for speeding up the stems and passing them into the pockets of said second conveyor, and means cooperating with said secon Il conveyerfor stemming thel main portion of the leaf.v

` `6. A tobacco stemming machine including in `combination a primary conveyer, means for stemming the butt of the leaf while held by said primary conveyor, a second conveyor, two rotating devices engaging from opposite sides the successive stems of the partially stemmed leaf and leading them into said second conveyer, and means for stemming the remainder of the leaf.

7. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination a conveyer, means for stemming tlie leaf held by the conveyer.` and means'comprising a rotating group of bristles. and a `yielding member cooperating therewith from the opposite side of the leaf for separating out loose and broken stem leaf before it enters the stemming means.

8. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination a conveyer, means set diagonally to the path of travel of the conveyor and comprising coperating rotating leaf stemming devices and rotating stem cutting devices for cuttingthe` stembefore the leaf 55 Y. stemming rolls, one 'ofy whi'ehofers more rea y mea-,4er

is entirely stemmed, the cutting devices acting. to. cut the leaf stem at a point a little farther toward the leaf tip than the point at which the stemming devices are acting when the stem is cut. Y Y l' A tobacco Vstemming machine including in combination a conveyer, means set diagonelly to the path of travel of the conveyer and comprising. coperating. rotating leaf stemmin devices and rotating stem cutting devices or cutting the stembefore the leaf is entirely stemmed,y the-cutting; devices actr ing to cut the Stemat a point a little nearer to the tip than the place where the stemming devices are acting on the leaf when the cut occurs, the cutting device cutting the stem after a plurality of operations'of the stemming devices on the leaf. y 10. ,A tobacco stemming'machine including in combination two coperating rotary stemming members, one of Said members having on its periphery a stem receiving groove having leaf engaging faces adjacent thereto and the other member having resilient stemming. means, the" resilientv stemming means 4having' greater peripheral speed than the coperating grooved member, and meansjfor passing Vtobacco leaves between Ysaid members during rotation.

11. A tobacco stemming machine including incombination two coperatingmtary stemming members, one of said members having on its. periphery ay stem receiving oove having leaf engagingffaoes adjacent t ereto and the other member havingI resilient stemming means, the resilient-stemming means having greater peripheral. speed'than the cooperating grooved member, and means for drawing tobacco leaves in the opposite direction from that inv which the members are moving at the place of stemming.'`

12. A tobacco-v stemming; machine including in combination: two' fcoperating; rotary stemming members havingdiiferent peripheral speeds, said members being equipped ywith diiferent'leafengaging means,`one of said members-.being more resistive to the passing leafand= the other member having more aggressive actionfdue to-its'speed and sweeping Y across the surface of the more resistive member'during'rotation, and means for drawing'the leaf .between said stemming members.

\ 13. AA tobacco lstemming maohinefincludpredetermined point, one of sald rolls caring in combinationrtwo coperating rotary sistance-to the advancingleaf' thanthe other, the other of saidv rolls beingprovidedV with circumferentially spacedA apart stemming devices whereby the leaf is alternately engaged by saidfstemming-.devices-andis separated therefrom, andzmeanszfor causing the leaf to feedv endwisecfthe rolls, and means for driving the nell oleringithe least resistance to the advancin leaf at a greater peripheral speed than t e other roll.

14.. A tobacco stemming machine including in' combination two oppositely rotating stemming rolls having contacting and noncontacting segments, the contacting segments of one roll being provided with cutting blades for removing the leaf from the stem and those of the other roll being provided with resilient stemming material, and meansfor drawing leaves between said rolls while in action and means for rotating said rolls in opposite directions.

15. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination two cooperating stemming rolls of unequal size, one of said rolls being provided with blades having stem grooves having stemming faces at their sides, the other being provided with se arated resilient stemming segments, the ro s being spaced to press said resilient segments intov Contact with the blades of the complementary roll, and means for drawing leaves between said rolls while they are rotatin 16. A tobacco stemming machine inclguding in'combination an endless stem gripping carrier, a pair of coperating stemming rolls arranged at an oblique angle therewith, means for feeding a leaf sidewise iu relation to said carrier, one of said rolls having a cutter, a member on the coperating roll adapted to contact with the cutter, and means for drawing astem between said cutter and said contacting member at a predetermined point, said cutter traveling at a higher peripheral speed than the contacting member.

V17. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination an endless stem gripping carrier, a pair of copcrating stemming rolls arranged at an oblique angle therewith and traveling at different peripheral speeds, means for feeding a leaf sidewise in relation to said carrier, one of said rolls having a cutter, a member on the copcrating roll adapted to contact with the cutter, the cutter contacting with thcicontacting member a point determined by the relative peripheral speeds of the rotating members.

18. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination an endless stem gripping carrier, two coperating stemming rolls angularly disposed to said carrier, said rolls havingy stemming members contacting at a A predetermined point, one of said rolls carrying a cutter, the other having a contacting member, said cutter contacting with its contacting member at a point outside the contacting point of said stemming members, the roll on which the cutter is mounted traveling at a higher peripheral speed than the contacting member.

20. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination two cooperating stemming rolls, two endless carriers arranged obliquely thereto and having curved links constituting stem pockets on their inner surfaces, means for guiding stems into said pockets and means for flexibly forcing the carriers into Contact with said stems while they are in said pockets, and while the carriers are advancing past the angularly arranged stemming rolls, and means for rotating the rolls in opposite direction to the traveling leaves.

2l. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination a pair of stemming rolls angular-ly arranged relatively to said carriers, one of said rolls being smaller in diameter than the other, means for drawing a leafbetween said rolls, the largerroll being provided with bristles and being located above the smaller, and means mounted on one of the rolls for deflecting the stemmed portion ofthe leaf downwardly and away from the larger roll.

22. A tobaccostemming machine including in i combination two endless carriers, means for forcingsaid carriers into contact with a stem, a pair of stemming rolls angularly` arranged relatively to said carrier, one of said rolls being smaller in diameter than the other, means for drawing a leaf between said rolls, means for deflecting the stemmed portion of the leaf in a tangential direction controlled by the leaf engaging means on the smaller roll.

23. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination a pair of cooperating stemming rolls, one of said rolls having resilient stemming segments and the other roll a series of stemming blades on its periphery arranged in separated groups, said blades being provided with stem groovesl and intervening raised portions, and being arranged at an angle* relatively to the body of said rolls.

24. A tobacco stemming machine including in `combination stemming means, and leaf smoothing and directing means acting on. the leaf in advance of the stemming means and comprising a row of rotating bristles mounted on a shaft and a relatively loosely yielding resilient member cooperatingtherewith mounted on another shaft on the dp osite side of the leaf. e

2,5. tobacco stemming machine including in combination stemming means, and

leaf `smoothing and directing means acting on the leaf in advance of the stemming means and comprising a row of rotating bristles inclined backwardly from their direction of rotation and a relatively loosely yielding resilient member cooperating therewith on the opposite side of the leaf.

26. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination a rotating stemming member having grooves with a stemming edge, and a resilient rotating stemming member cooperating from the opposite `side of the leaf to press the stem against said stemmingedge and to press the leaf closely on each side of the stem past and in front of the rotating stemming edge, and means for drawing the leaf against said members.

27. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination a plurality of rotating grooved stemming' edges following in succession, a rotating member cooperating from the opposite side of the leaf to press the stem against the stemming edge and to press the leaf past andin front of the advancing stemming edge, and means for drawing the leaf against the rotation of said devices which operate a plurality of timesin quick succession on a single leaf.

28. Atobacco stemming machine including in combination means for feeding the leaf through stemming means and stemming means comprising two cooperating rotating members, `one member having a `rotating plate, the edge `thereof engaging the leaf during the stemming operation, and the other of said cooperating members having a group of flexible members sweeping over the side of the plate and said edge' thereof.

29. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination means for feedingV the leaf through stemming means, and stemming means comprising two cooperating rotating members, one member having a rotating plate, having a corrugated edge engaging the leaf during the stemming operation, and the other of said cooperating members having a group of bristles sweeping over the side of the plate and said edge" thereof.

30. A tobacco stemming machine `including in combination means for feeding the leaf through stemming means, and stemming means comprising two cooperating rotating members, one member having a rotating plate, the edge thereof engaging the leaf during the `stemming operation, and the other of said cooperating members having a group of flexible members sweeping over the side of the plate and said edge thereof, the flexible members traveling at greater peripheral speed than the plate.

31. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination means for feeding the leaf through stemming means, and stemming means comprising two cooperating rotating members, one member having a ro-V tating plate,'having a corrugated edge cnlgaging the leaf during the stemming opera` tion and the other of said coperating members having a group of Yflexible members sweeping'over the side of the late and said edge'thereof,rthe flexible mem rs traveling tion, theother of said vctx'jperati-ng members having a gronpIvof ,flexible members sweep ing-over the side of the plate and said edge thereof.

33. A tobaccostemming Ymachine includingy in combination means for fee'dillg;vr .the leaf through stemming means, stemming means vcomprising.-two cooperating rotating members'. one member having a plaie disposed longitudinally thereof, and being inclined outwardly with vrespeta; toits circle of rotation,the forward edge of the plate 'engagthe leaf during the stemming operation, the other of Y said c eratingmembers having a group of fiexi le members sweeping over the side. of theV plate., and said edge thereof, the flexible members -traveling at greater peripheral speed `than'the plate* Y.

41 tobacco stemming machine including incombination means for feedingl the leaf through .stemming means, stemming means Y comprisinggtwo cooperating rotating members, one member having a plate disposed longitudinally thereof, and'being inclined outwardly with respect to its circle of rotation, the plate having a corrugated edge engaging the leaf during thev stemming opL eration, the otherV of said cooperating mem` bers having va group of flexible members sweeping over the side of the platev and said edge thereof. y 35. Atobacco stemming machineincludlng in combination means' for feeding the leaf :through stemming means, 'stemming Y Y havi means comprising two cooperating rotating members, one member having a plate dis'- posed tlongitudinallythereof, Yand being inclined outwardly with respect to its circle of rotation, ythe .forward edge of the plate en- Y Y gaging theleaf during .the stemmingY operation, the yother of said cooperating members l a group of'bristles sweeping over the si e of theI plate andV said edge thereof,

y the bristles-trav'elingV at greater peripheral speed-llthe plate.

ing

A tobacco stemming vmachine includin'V combination means for feeding the rleaf 4through stemming means, and stemming means comprising two cooperating members, one member having a plurality of flat platcsdisposed longitudinally thereof and arranged close to each other circumferentially thereabout, the edges of the plates engaging successively with the leaf during the stemming operation, the other of Said cooperating members having a group of flexible devices sweeping in rapid succession over the fiat sides and ,edges of said closely arranged blades.

37. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination means for feeding the leaf through stemming means, and stem ming means kcomprising two cooperating members, one member having a plurality of fiat plates disposed longitudinally thereof and arranged close together and substantially parallel to each other, the ed of the plates engaging successively wit the leaf .during the stemming operation, the other of saidpcoperating members having a group of flexible devices sweepin in rapid `receive the stem andv to provide stemming Vfaces at either side of the stem, said edges engaging successively with the leaf during Vthe stemming operation, the other of sai co erating members having a group of flexible devices sweeping successively over the flat sides and corrugated edges of the closely` arranged blades.

39. A tobacco stemming machine including" in combination means for feeding the leaf through stemming means, and stemming means comprising two coperlt' members, one member having a pluralitfugi flat plates disposed longitudinally thereof,and arranged circumfcrentially thereabout, the edges of the plates being corrugated and engaging successively with the leaf during the stemming operation, the other of seid coperating members having a group of flexible devices sweeping over the flat sides 0f a lurality of the blades and the corrugated edles thereof, the flexible membersv traveling at greater peripheral speed lthan the blades.

40. A tobacco" stemming machine including in combination means for feeding the leaf to stemming devices, stemming dcvil,

Cit

and cutting means for cutting the stem at a point along the leaf slightly in advance of the Place of the stemming action, thereby terminating the stemming action on the leaf and cutting the stem at the unstemmed portion of the leaf.

41. A tobacco stemming machine including in combination means for feeding the leaf to stemming devices, stemming devices, cutting means for cutting the stem at a point along the leaf slightly in advance of the place of the stemming action, thereby ter- Initiating the stemming action on the leaf and cutting the stem at the unstemmed por tion of the leaf, and means for causing said cutting devices to so act at a desired and predetermined point along the leaf.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of a subscribing witness.

JAMES P. SCOVILL.

Witness:

JOHN D. MORGAN. 

